Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/28/08

"Confessions of the Starving Artist" - 2/28/08

In a world gone mad
Art will nourish the starving
Music feeds a soul

Hi, it's time for some more blogaddaccio on my part. My life crosses pathes with so many souls. I'm lucky like that. And my place is a convergence of like-minded people each with their own creative spin on the human condition. And that's not just the artists and performers. That's the audience, too. I've made friends with so many of them on a personal level. This weekend was particularly cool. We even had a seminar on Thursday, February 21, with Fish Altieri on "powering" your music career.

Friday night, February 22, Seth Okrend came and laid on us his brand of blues and jazz and 60s top 40 songs (Beatles and Stones mainly). Seth's unassuming style belies the power of his chops. He doesn't seem to be working hard at all but how many people do you know who play John Mayall's "Room to Move" live on guitar and harmonica? I'm lucky because he's going to play bass for me on March 8 at the SAC&G. He's unlucky because every time he plays my place it's 95 degrees or it's a thunderstorm or ice storm or something. Check out Seth regardless of the weather.

Saturday night, February 23, we (and you?) were blessed with a family reunion of sorts. Project Mercury rocketed into the Artist early Saturday and I got to hang out a bit. These folks are definitely part of the Starving Artist family. They also had actual family members there, too. Craig's mother and Charlene's husband and their newborn baby Emily. What a treat and an honor. Oh yeah, and they play great music. I know, I know... You're thinking, "Well, he's not going to say they were mediocre." Perhaps, but these people ARE great. Craig and Marian play guitars, sing and write songs. Jeanne plays cello, electric upright bass and is also a songwriter, and Charlene plays violin and sings beautifully. That's a lot of sound. Three part harmonies (try it) and full band arrangements. Their sound is so unique and full. Jeanne is sometimes classically melodic and sometimes a head-banging cellist. It's really amazing to hear. THIS is a must-see band. They are also very sweet people and good friends to have. Treat your ears next time; they'll thank you.

Not everyone that plays an instrument is in a band. Maybe they don't have the time or desire to do that, but if you play say, an electric guitar, you sometimes need other musicians to sit in with once in awhile. It's a bit like playing chess. You need to play with someone better than you to get better at it. So we at Starving Artist hold an open jam session every now and then. (The next is Sunday, May 25.) Any instrument you play is welcome. Lately, they come out in force, like this past Sunday, February 24. We had acoustic guitar players pick blues and such, notably Johnny "Strat" Sheridan and SAC&G's own Peter C. North. We had electric guitar players and a keyboard player, too. Keeping it all in the pocket was our waitress extraordinaire "Sticks" Murphy (Mariel to all of you) on drums. Also sitting in on drums was "Comic Al" Wagner, another good pocket player. He brought the cutest, shyest little girl, his daughter Athena. Of course, everyone played a bit too loud. But I think they all had a good time. There were even people there just to listen - like Frank and Cheryl Koller, Mary Lou and Bob Lachman, Debbie Martin and Pat Fusco. They were there from start to finish. At the end, I got to sit in playing my old '62 Guild Starfire with Dave Ramirez, keyboardist Matt Visconti, and Mariel and Al taking turns on drums. Finally my son, Josh Glick, sat in for a while on guitar. The jam was a great success and a wild end to a great weekend. A good jam session is a communion of souls solidifying a community. I hope it was so for those involved on Sunday.

By now I've blogged you fifteen fold and you've got a pretty good picture of a typical day in the life. (No pictures for this week's blog, since "Uncle" Bill Yehle - brother-in-law, sous chef and photographer - was under the weather this weekend; all missed him, especially me.) To get a further picture, click the links in this blog and hear for yourself. And don't forget to check out the calendar page with all its new listings. While you're at it, "Click on Glick" at Neil Young's Living With War Site - numbers 111 and 112 this week!

Make a date with me for Saturday, March 8, when I get to take my own stage. There will be new songs and many surprises musically as well as guests on stage with me. Come share the communion with us, and celebrate. Come in, and live right.

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/28/08

In a world gone mad
Art will nourish the starving
Music feeds a soul

Hi, it's time for some more blogaddaccio on my part. My life crosses pathes with so many souls. I'm lucky like that. And my place is a convergence of like-minded people each with their own creative spin on the human condition. And that's not just the artists and performers. That's the audience, too. I've made friends with so many of them on a personal level. This weekend was particularly cool.

Friday night, February 22, Seth Okrend came and laid on us his brand of blues and jazz and 60s top 40 songs (Beatles and Stones mainly). Seth's unassuming style belies the power of his chops. He doesn't seem to be working hard at all but how many people do you know who play John Mayall's "Room to Move" live on guitar and harmonica? I'm lucky because he's going to play bass for me on March 8 at the SAC&G. He's unlucky because every time he plays my place it's 95 degrees or it's a thunderstorm or ice storm or something. Check out Seth regardless of the weather.

Saturday night, February 23, we (and you?) were blessed with a family reunion of sorts. Project Mercury rocketed into the Artist early Saturday and I got to hang out a bit. These folks are definitely part of the Starving Artist family. They also had actual family members there, too. Craig's mother and Charlene's husband and their newborn baby Emily. What a treat and an honor. Oh yeah, and they play great music. I know, I know... You're thinking, "Well, he's not going to say they were mediocre." Perhaps, but these people ARE great. Craig and Marian play guitars, sing and write songs. Jeanne plays cello, electric upright bass and is also a songwriter, and Charlene plays violin and sings beautifully. That's a lot of sound. Three part harmonies (try it) and full band arrangements. Their sound is so unique and full. Jeanne is sometimes classically melodic and sometimes a head-banging cellist. It's really amazing to hear. THIS is a must-see band. They are also very sweet people and good friends to have. Treat your ears next time; they'll thank you.

Not everyone that plays an instrument is in a band. Maybe they don't have the time or desire to do that, but if you play say, an electric guitar, you sometimes need other musicians to sit in with once in awhile. It's a bit like playing chess. You need to play with someone better than you to get better at it. So we at Starving Artist hold an open jam session every now and then. (The next is Sunday, May 25.) Any instrument you play is welcome. Lately, they come out in force, like this past Sunday, February 24. We had acoustic guitar players pick blues and such, notably Johnny "Strat" Sheridan and SAC&G's own Peter C. North. We had electric guitar players and a keyboard player, too. Keeping it all in the pocket was our waitress extraordinaire "Sticks" Murphy (Mariel to all of you) on drums. Also sitting in on drums was "Comic Al" Wagner, another good pocket player. He brought the cutest, shyest little girl, his daughter Athena. Of course, everyone played a bit too loud. But I think they all had a good time. There were even people there just to listen - like Frank and Cheryl Koller, Mary Lou and Bob Lachman, Debbie Martin and Pat Fusco. They were there from start to finish. At the end, I got to sit in playing my old '62 Guild Starfire with Dave Ramirez, keyboardist Matt Visconti, and Mariel and Al taking turns on drums. Finally my son, Josh Glick, sat in for a while on guitar. The jam was a great success and a wild end to a great weekend. A good jam session is a communion of souls solidifying a community. I hope it was so for those involved on Sunday.

By now I've blogged you fifteen fold and you've got a pretty good picture of a typical day in the life. (No pictures for this week's blog, since "Uncle" Bill Yehle - brother-in-law, sous chef and photographer - was under the weather this weekend; all missed him, especially me.) To get a further picture, click the links in this blog and hear for yourself. And don't forget to check out the calendar page with all its new listings. While you're at it, "Click on Glick" at Neil Young's Living With War Site - numbers 111 and 112 this week!

Make a date with me for Saturday, March 8, when I get to take my own stage. There will be new songs and many surprises musically as well as guests on stage with me. Come share the communion with us, and celebrate. Come in, and live right.

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/21/08

Road to October
When monkey see monkey do
Ah youth has its day

Well, we are back in the swing of things again. We were away and now we are back and jet lag is no longer an excuse.

Friday nights are most often for the debut of new artists. October Road is a duo that consists of Charlie Spina on guitar and Barbara Blasucci on vocals. They played to a full house on Friday, February 15, and kept them happy with an endless supply of hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Charlie's guitar playing was impressive on "Dust in the Wind." Barbara's voice was powerful and at times reminded one of Janis Joplin. We'll see them again, further down the road.

It's always my pleasure to present Young Musicians' Night. When I was a young guy playing out, it was hard to get gigs, good ones, anyway. There were the open mic nights or "hoots" as we called them. These were a good way to learn your craft. Then there were the guys with the clipboards. These were cold auditions. Usually the audition was a half a song long. No audience, just performers. Well no more, it's all different now. We offer a forum for talented young people at Starving Artist. Saturday night, February 16, we featured two such performers. First up was Who Ha Mike Mendoza, a very funny, creative guy. He sang a few covers and a few originals and mostly won the audience with his wit. Next up was a young and pretty gal with a mile of presence and talent that I met at a gig I was playing as well. Lauren West played very solid originals and her guitar playing matched the songs nicely. I think her personality went a long way toward owning the room. Watch for these young artists.

Port O' Monkeys filled Sunday, February 17, with an exotic air. City Island's own Dr. Chris Wertenbaker is the driving force of this modular band. This time it was a duet. Chris was joined by bandmate Eve Moon playing flamenco, rumbas and gypsy tunes on guitars, and they play Middle Eastern songs on traditional instruments such as an oud. Catch Port O' Monkeys the next time they play and be transported. It's incense for your ears.

Check the schedule for this week - and treat yourself and support live independent music. Click the links. Be with us on Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m., as Fish Altieri of the Shells fame will be giving a one-hour free seminar on "making it" and the four streams of income in the business. "CLICK ON GLICK" (#113 and #120 this week on Neil Young's Living With War Web Site. And save the date - March 8 at 8 p.m. - for I'm playing the Starving Artist myself with some surprises. And come in, and live right.

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/14/08

Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, Super Blog.

Rooted trees stand still
Movement only sets you free
Once upon a bird.

January 25, Open Mic - I always look forward to open mic night. Of course, I got to see old friends and hear them work new material. A lot of new songs have their debut this way. But, one of the most interesting things about the last Friday of each month is the new acts that appear. We've had everything from polished professionals to the diamond in the rough. Now maybe all of this sounds like something you'd like to see and hear or maybe you're a performer polished or rough, or maybe you don't believe a thing like this can be so great. Well, you need to come to see for yourself - last Friday of every month. Comedy, poetry, music and performance art.

I am really proud of the quality of musicians that play the Starving Artist. Saturday night, January 26, Two Guitars took the stage. Brian Conigliaro and Gus Wieland are music business veterans. They've played all over the country and with various "name" acts. These guys play a great acoustic mix of blues and jazz fusion, and original tunes. Their guitars weave an intricate story around the lyrics. Add to all this vocal harmonies and Brian's virtuoso harmonica playing, and you've got one evening of great live music. I love when they play my club.

Sundays at the Artist can be mellow. Mellow like a cello. And that's exactly how it was. Cellar took the stage on Sunday, January 27. Elizabeth Glushko is the force behind Cellar. She plays cello and is accompanied by a guitarist; this time, Peter. They play everything from Beatles to blues, jazz to classical. A mellow, cello Sunday - if you don't count the New 12 The Bronx TV crew who was there to capture it all on video and feature SAC&G as the hot spot for live, independent music.

Monday, January 28, I hit the friendly skies for Italy. Rome, Assisi, Lucca, Pisa, Orvieto and Firenze. Wine, food, art, history and a papal blessing. Did I mention wine and food? Oh yeah and shopping. Well, back in New York, 10 days later, we hit the ground running. Guitar lessons to teach, shopping to do. Friday night, February 8, we re-opened to a newcomer to Starving Artist. Michael Magella has a style all his own, born of past musical experiences. His vocals are at once theatrical and intensely personal in the way Brian Ferry's are. He sang all original songs, all very romantic. I think he increased his fan base that night.

Saturday night, February 9, marked the return of two old friends of SAC&G. Fred Gillen Jr. and Matt Turk have played the Artist both as a duo and as solo artists. Each is a great singer, songwriter, musician in his own right, and together they're another thing. A powerhouse act that has it all covered. Beautiful harmonies and arrangements. They incorporate harmonica and percussion instruments such as washboard and rainstick. Pretty cool, huh? Starving Artist's own sweetheart, singer-songwriter Theresa Sareo even stopped by after a gig nearby to catch the end of their second set and to hear about our trip to Italy. Keep your eye on these guys.

Sweet Sunday again. If the Starving Artist is home to any band, it's the City Island Jazz Quartet. I think they've played here more times than anyone. Their guitarist, the amazing Lou Volpe I think has the all time record. These guys cooked up a Sunday afternoon on February 10 that saw sunshine, snow and then sunshine and then snow again. The house was packed, and the mood was right. They simmered, boiled, and baked all the old standards. Their solos were hot, and they served up the song in their own way. Drummer Sal, bassist Gene, guitarist Volpe and bandleader and saxman Roger Scala filled the cafe with the sound of good recipes. At the end of the last set, friend and pianist "Cowboy" Dave offered dessert - a rollicking, stomping blues set. Well, needless to say, they left the room hungry for more.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. Enjoy a little romance and click the links - "CLICK ON GLICK" (#150 and #157 this week on Neil Young's Living With War Web Site. If you are on MySpace and not on my friend list at my MySpace, make a request. March 8 at 8 p.m., I am playing the Starving Artist myself with some surprises, so save the date and make a reservation.

Also, on Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m., Fish Altieri of the Shells fame will be giving a one-hour free seminar on "making it" and the four streams of income in the business.

The blog will go back to its normal weekly schedule. Peace, love, music and art - and come in, and live right.



Elliott Glick